What do a limping, lisping ex-con; a man who speaks to people with his sock puppet; and a woman with psychogenic amnesia have in common?

They are characters coming to UC Davis starting Feb. 17 in Fuddy Meers, presented by Studio 301 Productions.

The David Lindsay-Abaire comedy centers on Claire, a wife and mother in suburbia. What makes her stand out is her amnesia; she remembers nothing about her past, and every morning when she wakes up, her memory of the previous day is completely erased.

One day, the ex-convict appears, claiming to be her brother, and they go to see Claire’s mother, Gertie, who has recently suffered a stroke. Claire’s husband, Richard, and daughter, Kenny, follow along.

Each character influences Claire’s mixture of discovery and confusion — and, as Claire wonders about her past, so does the audience.

“Fuddy Meers is a really individualistic project, because while it’s so hilarious that we can’t get through blocking a scene without busting up, it’s also pretty dark,” said Ashley Bargenquast, who plays Kenny.

“The show is highly character driven, and goes deeper than your average comedy,” said Bargenquast, a second-year student majoring in political science. “These characters are complex, and the way their complexities intertwine with one another — this is what drives the piece as a whole.”

When director Gia Battista asked Michael Lutheran to be the assistant director, he agreed immediately. “It has been wonderful watching Gia and the cast create a performance that is both spontaneous and deeply rooted,” said Lutheran, a second-year student with a double major in dramatic arts and history.

Another interesting aspect of the performance is its stage in the Technocultural Studies Building, also known as the Art Annex. It is not the typical space for a full-length theater production.

Battista, a third-year English major, elected to stage Fuddy Meers in the round — a setting that many of the actors are excited about. Essentially, each person in the audience will see a different perspective of the show.

In addition, the set is minimal, with props as the main element, other than the actors. This is deliberate, according to Battista, to further heighten the audience’s focus on the characters.

Alison Stevenson is a third-year English major, in charge of publicity for Studio 301’s Fuddy Meers, in which she plays the part of Gertie.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Fuddy Meers, presented by Studio 301 Productions, the only student-run theater group on campus

WHEN: 8 p.m. Feb. 17 (preview), Feb. 18 and 20, and Feb. 24-27; and 6 p.m. Feb. 21 and 28. (No performance on Feb. 19.)

WHERE: Technocultural Studies Building (Art Annex)

TICKETS: Minimum donation of $8 for students, $10 for adults, payable at the door. Ticket reservations are being taken by e-mail, FuddyMeersReservations@gmail.com.

ADVISORY: This production includes strong language that might not be suitable for children.